Aye Yer Ma
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AYE, YER MA. The term of abuse has often been heard on the fields of gaeldom emanating from gobshites. But now, Ulster Games development manager Sheena Tally, has been getting’ busy with a novel idea of getting mothers, elders sisters, aunts and probably even grandmothers out palying ladies football. The scheme is called Gaelic 4 Mothers.
Figuring that these ladies are already involved in the sport through dropping off their beloved children at the pitch for training, the thinking is that ladies might as well have a go. It offers them recereational football, a chance to get fit and probably best of all a chance to get away from the husband. Gaelic4Mothers National Blitz Day, which was hosted by St Sylvester’s GAA Club in Malahide, Dublin. 528 mums from fifteen counties played in the tournament. It was designed to be recreational and social and it certainly was that and more.
Over 800 womens of varying ages and abilities have so far registered with clubs for the Gaelic4Mothers initiative which has been developed by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association to offer mothers and older women an opportunity to play the game in a fun, non-competitive and social environment.
The official blurb says: “It is proving a huge hit with women of all ages who have either played in the past or who have never played the game at all, allowing them to get their recommended weekly exercise in a fun way while meeting other mothers in the area. Gaelic4Mothers brings a whole new social aspect to clubs and also provides parents with an invaluable insight into the club scene.”
It also of course a chance to fry the husband’s head asking him about tactics, positional changes and the best way to take your points. He in turn can reciprocate by changing nappies, doing the dusting and mopping the floor. Boiling spuds for the dinner might still be a bridge too far to be fair.
